Page 13 of Forgive Me, Father

“First of all, I’m a businessman, Camilla.I do my research first, and I’m thorough in what I do.The DaCostas are done.They own less than twenty percent of the docks, but I guess it was something they didn’t share with your father.”

“No, that can’t be.”

“You’re calling me a liar?”he tilted his head to the side, assessing me.

I swallowed hard at his tone.I shook my head.

“Someone else owns eighty percent of the docs.They were taking you for a ride; this merger would’ve gotten them out of their debt and probably paid to get back the eighty percent they had lost.”

“How do you know this?”

“I told you, I do my research well.The merger was a mistake.The DaCostas are dead weight.It would’ve pulled your family under, and something tells me that’s the opposite of what your father would’ve wanted.”

My gaze flickered to his.“My grandfather too.”

“Is he still alive?”

I shook my head as I struggle to believe the truth about Victor and Rita DaCosta.They had been lying to my father, deceiving him, manipulating him.If my father had known the truth, there was no way he would have ever agreed to this merger.He had trusted them, believed they were his allies, when all along, they’d been scheming to steal from him, from our family, for their own merits.

A silent, seething rage surged through my veins, cold and sharp, threatening to boil over.

“What is it,piccola fuggitiva?”

I hated it when he called me that.I didn’t understand the words, but I wasn’t about to tell him to stop.I’d wait until after the marriage, then I’d make it clear.

“My father’s always doing his research.He would’ve figured out that this merger was a mistake.So, why didn’t he?”

Alfonso sat in thought for a minute, and then his green eyes locked with mine.“Because your father has enemies close to him who were probably paid off by the DaCostas to lie to him.It is the only thing that makes sense.”

My mind immediately went to Andrew Westwood.His firm was handling our affairs and accounts.My father’sresearch.

“He would never believe me.”

“He will believeme.”

SIX

THE WHITE RABBIT

She had signedthe contract after I’d told her that I’d make the amendments.Her mother had trained her well.She was already putting her trust in me, and yet she didn’t know me one bit.I signed too, with a note to amend the assets and include the merger.

“I’ll have an invitation drawn up for your family.Someone has to attend the consummation ceremony.”

Her cheeks flushed, but she nodded.

I loved the way she still blushed, how that quiet shyness only made her more captivating.She was stunning.

Phillip DeCosta was a fucking idiot to ever let her slip through his fingers.

“I’ll send the amended contract to you soon and then we’ll get married.”

She knew Christmas Eve was the only day we could get married.

“Don’t bother to get undressed.It won’t take long to add the amended part.”

She nodded once again.

“Nico!”I yelled, and the door opened.I told him to take Camilla and get someone to refresh her makeup and hair.The wedding would take place soon.